Linkin Park - Reanimation

The remix album -- the time-honored tradition of buying time between records. Often, these are inconsequential affairs (Limp Bizkit's New Old Songs leaps to mind, for some reason), but if a band is smart, they can use this time-buying ploy to their advantage, redefining their sound somewhat, or at least reaching out for that elusive street credibility. The latter option is especially true for bands that have a big, big chart hit on their hands but little critical respect or reputation as a hip band. Which brings us to Linkin Park's Reanimation, a generous 20-track remix record of their debut Hybrid Theory that the band has vaguely alluded to as their art project. That means the group has left the hamfisted alt-metal of their debut behind, turning this record over to rappers, remixers, DJs, and assorted producers to give it a darkly hip, electronic edge. This may not be particularly pleasing to those who loved the angst-ridden rock theatrics of the debut, but it's a damn sight more interesting than that debut, helping Linkin Park distinguish themselves from the adolescently tortured rap-rock pack. The paradox is, of course, that the band sounds more original when filtered through the likes of Kutmasta Kurt, Alchemist, Pharoahe Monch, Aceyalone, and Jonathan Davis, among others, but any change is welcome, really (well, apart from the apparent decision to leave grammar and spelling behind; every song title is an "arty" interpretation of the original title -- "Paper Cut" is "Ppr:Kut," "Cure for the Itch" is "Kyur4 th Ich," etc. -- resulting in a silly mish-mash of letters and numerals). Some of this works quite well, some of it is kind of juvenile (really, does Motion Man need to repeat "Linkin Park -- remix" over and over again on his rap?), much of it is only slightly recognizable from the original, it's too long, and compared to contemporary arty rock (Radiohead, Flaming Lips, Clinic, Trail of Dead, System of a Down, Interpol, etc.), it really isn't that arty. But, compared to what they've done before, and compared to their peers, Reanimation is arty and a welcome step in the right direction. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alchemist Interpretation Amp Live Interpretation Andy Wallace Mixing Backyard Bangers Interpretation Brad Delson Producer, Guitar, Vocals (Background), Bass Brand Nubian Performer Brian Gardner Mastering, Digital Editing Chairman Hahn Records, Sampling, Scratching, Interpretation, Vocals (Background) Cheapshot Interpretation Cheapshot & Jubacca Interpretation Chester Bennington Vocals Dave "Phoenix" Farrell Violin, Vocals (Background), Cello, Bass David "P Dub" Walton Digital Editing David Treahearn Mixing Assistant, Assistant DJ Babu Cut DJ Revolution Editing Don Gilmore Producer Doug Trantow Producer, Engineer, Programming Eric Moss Group Member, Interpretation Erik Gregory Programming Evidence Interpretation Flem Design, Art Direction, Page Setup Greg Kurstin Keyboards Humble Brothers Interpretation Jay Gordon Engineer, Interpretation, Programming Jeff Blue A&R Jeff Chestek Engineer Jonas G. Engineer Joseph Hahn Vocals (Background), Artwork, Illustrations, Records, Sampling Josh Abraham Interpretation Josh Kouzomis Interpretation, Group Member Jubacca Interpretation Kevin Sakoda A&R KutMasta Kurt Interpretation Mark "Spike" Stent Mixing Michael Fitzpatrick Interpretation, Programming Mickey Petralia Interpretation, Producer, Keyboards, Programming Mike Shinoda Sampling, MC, Artwork, Interpretation, Vocals, Producer, Art Direction, Guitar, Design Mister Hahn Scratching Nancie Stern Sample Clearance Natalie Preston Artist Coordination Nova Interpretation, Programming Pharoahe Monch Vocals Porse 1 Producer Ray Wilson Assistant Engineer Rob Bourdon Vocals (Background), Drums Roc Raida Interpretation Ryan Williams Engineer Sean C. Interpretation Stephen Carpenter Guitar The Alchemist Interpretation Tom Whalley A&R Troy Staton Mixing